Kick up your heels to support GEMS

Ken BorsukFebruary 28, 2019

GREENWICH — Residents can support the life-saving work of the Greenwich Emergency Medical Services all while dancing the night away at a special fundraiser Friday evening.

The ambulance corps will hold its annual Boot Scootin’ Gala, a square dance fundraiser, starting at 6:30 p.m. at the Belle Haven Club. More than 100 guests, sporting their finest barn attire, are expected for a night of square dancing, traditional barbecue and entertainment — all in service of supporting GEMS and the work it does in town.

GEMS is not a town department — which is different from the police and fire departments. It receives town funding through the municipal budget to cover operational costs, and it works with the town on a contract basis. But the capital costs for GEMS are raised privately.

So events like the gala, as well as other private fundraising during the year, raise the money needed to pay for new ambulances, new equipment and medical supplies.

“The Boot Scootin Gala is very important to GEMS since we rely on donations for all of our capital needs, including the lifesaving medical equipment and ambulances used every day by our paramedics and EMTs,” GEMS Executive Director Tracy Schietinger said. “I think it will be a lot of fun for our guests to learn how to square dance, and I hope I don’t step on anyone’s toes with my new boots.”

Jennifer Baldock, chair of GEMS’ Board of Directors, noted the past success of these fundraisers.

“For the past two years, GEMS has hosted events that have sold out and raised much-needed funds to replace or refurbish an ambulance,” Baldock said. “We are looking forward to this year’s event because not only will it support the life-saving work we do for the town of Greenwich, but everyone will be able to grab a partner and ‘boot scoot’ the night away.”

There will be a square dance caller on hand to keep everyone organized on the dance floor. Guests can play Heads or Tails to win gift certificates worth more than $1,200 to local restaurants, and paddles will also be at each table for attendees to give support to GEMS throughout the evening.

The town’s 2019-20 budget includes a $4.7 million line item for GEMS, which is a 1.0 percent increase over the $4.653 million approved last year for the ambulance corps. That covers the cost of staff and other operations, which allows GEMS to operate 24/7 out of four stations with seven ambulances in its fleet.

According to GEMS, from May 2017 to April 2018, the ambulance corps responded to 6,109 calls and transported 4,199 patients, with a response time, on average, of less than five minutes on all emergency calls.

Earlier this month, GEMS reported to the Board of Estimate and Taxation that it has responded to nearly 5,100 calls in the 2018-19 fiscal year, which is set to end on June 30. That figure is on par with past years.